Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Employment in Louisiana centers on energy, petrochemicals, maritime trade, healthcare and tourism.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED LANA).
Unemployment
Louisiana's unemployment rate was 4.2% in 2024, close to the national average.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED LAUR).
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.2 | 4 |
Labor Force
Louisiana's labor force totals about 2.05 million workers, with labor force participation among the lowest in the nation.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LALF).
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force (millions) | 2.05 | 168 |
Occupations
Louisiana's workforce is led by oil, gas and petrochemical occupations, alongside maritime trade, tourism/hospitality and healthcare.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
Salaries
Louisiana's median annual wage is about $44,900, below the national median, reflecting a workforce concentrated in lower-wage service and hospitality jobs alongside high-paying energy roles.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU22000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU22000000500000003).
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (USD) | 44900 | 48060 |
Remote Work
Remote work in Louisiana remains below the national average, given the state's reliance on in-person industries like energy, shipping and tourism.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 6 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
Louisiana's labor force participation rate is 58.5%, among the lowest in the U.S., reflecting demographic and health-related labor market challenges.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA22).
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Participation rate (%) | 58.5 | 62.5 |